Scope and Content: During the Civil War, muster-out rolls (July 1864-Jan. 1866) documented the official completion of federal service by a given Massachusetts military unit or individual. These rolls were produced in multiples by company clerks and received by various government offices, one each to the company commander, Adjutant General of the Army, and the Bounty Bureau, and two to the paymaster. Series contains rolls for regiments of the Massachusetts Volunteers, primarily 3-year units that often mustered out before their 3-year term was completed, due to the end of the war. Information on the rolls includes pay/bounty obligations already met, as well as those needing settlement. –On both types of muster-out rolls, headings indicate commanding officer, company, regiment, place, date and length of enlistment (generally 3 years) and date discharged. Listed for each soldier is his name, age, rank, unit, when where and by whom enrolled and mustered. Financial information can include: date and by whom last paid; money due the soldier, the government or the sutler for clothing; and bounty or back pay paid or remaining due. A remarks column may give a variety of information about the soldier’s status, including illnesses, hospitalizations, death/killed in action, missing, absent without leave, transfers (including Navy service), prisoner of war status, pay earned, and promotions. Some include indications of amounts to be stopped out of the –See also: List of mustering-outs, 1861-1865 ((M-Ar)710X). Some muster-out information is summarized in: Descriptive rolls of Massachusetts Volunteers, 1861-1865 ((M-Ar)443X).
Arrangement: Arranged by regiment
Restrictions: Restricted as fragile (crumbling, brittle, some staining). Bound and silked versions of these rolls at the Massachusetts National Guard Military Museum and Archives in Concord should be used instead
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